SICILY ISLAND, La. &045;&045; Emma Tarver has been working with the Sicily Island Medical Center since before the center opened.

&uot;I’ve been here since the planning grant,&uot; said Tarver, CEO of Catahoula Parish Hospital District No. 2. &uot;I love my job.&uot;

And when people ask about her possible retirement, Tarver has a standard answer: &uot;Not anytime soon.&uot;

Tarver and the center, which serves uninsured and underinsured patients in Catahoula and Concordia parishes, will celebrate National Health Center Week next week with a variety of activities.

&uot;The observance of Health Center Week comes at a time when more and more Americans are turning to health centers for medical care,&uot; Tarver said. &uot;Community, migrant and homeless centers have compiled a solid record of success for nearly 40 years of caring for the medically underserved and uninsured.&uot;

Over the past three years, Tarver said, the new uninsured population served by community health centers has grown 67 percent.

&uot;A lot of patients don’t have money for health care,&uot; Tarver said.

Patients at the Sicily Island center pay what they can, she said. And while they may have to wait, all are seen by a doctor on the day they come for treatment.

&uot;We have a saying,&uot; Tarver said. &uot;If you get your foot in the front door, you’ll be able to see somebody that day. You may have to wait a while, but you’ll see somebody.&uot;

Sicily Island Medical Center partners with Wisner Medical Clinic, Medical Center Family Dentistry and Operation Smile to serve Catahoula, Concordia, Franklin and Tensas parishes.

Among the activities next week:

4Tuesday: A visit from U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander at 10 a.m., and diabetic activities and a blood drive during the day

4Wednesday: Hearing screenings

4Thursday: Open house.

The public is invited to share in the festivities.